How to Build Mountains for HO Trains

Building a model mountain

• 1

  Cut sections of foam insulation with a hobby knife to fit the area of your layout where you want mountains. Each layer should be a little smaller than the last so that they rise up toward a general peak when stacked.

• 2

  Apply white glue to the surface of your layout board and then apply the first layer of foam.

• 3

  Glue the next layer in place with white glue and secure with a few pins or nails.

• 4

  Add balls of crumpled newspaper to the foam to give it an irregular texture and tape them down.

• 5

  Dip plaster wrap strips in water and layer over the newspaper, smoothing out the texture as you go with your fingers.

Painting a model mountain

• 6

  Apply a single light base color appropriate to your landscape like gray, brown, and tan with a brush. Relatively smooth surfaces can be painted with a sponge brush, but a nylon brush may be necessary in recessed areas.

• 7

  Allow the base coat to cure overnight. A second coat may be necessary before proceeding.

• 8

  Mix shades of paint that are slightly darker and slightly lighter than your base color with water in a ratio of about one part paint to 16 parts water to create a "wash."

• 9

  Apply varying streaks and spots of the wash throughout the landscape with horizontal and occasional diagonal strokes, allowing colors to blend naturally and allow to cure overnight.

• 10

  Mix one part India ink and 20 parts water and apply the solution from top to bottom in light coats to let it seep into the recesses for shadows.